From the Creaux’s Nest

TRUMP SINKS TO NEW LOW

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sinks to a new low in political rhetoric by calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. That is insane and hurts U.S. relations with our allies in Muslim countries. It’s un-American and against our constitution to discriminate against one’s religion. Many Muslims are in the U.S. military, many are business owners and generate jobs and add billions of dollars to our economy. Ninety-nine percent of Muslims are good people, like Muhammad Ali for example. Trump has demagogued on race, gender, country of origin and now religion. He wants U.S. citizens to hate Muslims. He’s not only hurting America, he’s destroying the Republican Party. If he’s the nominee, the GOP will lose both the Senate and the House. He will never be president but it boggles my mind that 40 percent of Republicans support him. It’s no longer the party of Ike, Reagan or even Geo. H. Bush. I still believe he will drop out by late January or early February. If he doesn’t, he’ll dig a deep grave for the GOP. He has drawn condemnation from all his opponents except Cruz, as well as most Democrats. His egocentric mind thinks he can say anything and get away with it. We’ll see.*****I must move on. Please come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

WO-S MUSTANGS KEEP ROLLING ON

For the second year in a row the West Orange-Stark Mustangs are advancing to the Class 4-A Division II semifinals. They defeated the Bellville Brahmas 42-3, after a shaky offensive first half. Adjustments were made at halftime and the Mustangs totally controlled the game. I’m convinced that WO-S “Chain Gang” is the best defensive 4-A team in the state. Finally, I believe they are one of the top three all time Mustang defenses. Next in line for WO-S is Cuero, in the semifinal round, who defeated Sinton 28-0 to advance. The game will be played Saturday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. at Darrell Tully Stadium, Spring, Texas. Tickets go on sale at the WO-S athletic office Thursday, 9 am-12 noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Fans from throughout Orange County are expected to attend. All tickets at the gate are $10.

ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING ROCKS NATION

Two attackers, a husband and wife, who had a six month old daughter, attacked and killed 14 people and injured 17 others at San Bernardino, California Inland Regional Center. The couple were slain in a police shoot out. Syed Rizwan Farook, 29, and his wife Tashfeen Malik, 27. from Pakistan, publicly showed no outward sign of Islamist radicalization. Officials belief that the wife had radicalized her American born husband. Americans are left searching for a solution as weapon attacks throughout the country become a new normal. In 2015, mass shootings have taken place more than once a day in the United States. The year long tally of the dead is approaching 500, with twice that number injured. Now the search for solutions spills over into the presidential campaign. Some suggestions are ridiculous, and blaming our government is just stupid. I’ll tell you why. I’ve always said you can’t stop anyone who is willing to die for their deeds. Anyone of us can kill another person or group of people if our life means nothing. Our right to bear arms is protected by the second amendment which I favor. However, some people shouldn’t be allowed to have assault weapons. Frankly, I see no real reason to possess them for any useful purpose. Of course anytime anyone says that, someone else will accuse them of wanting to take away their guns. If the government attempts to control who can buy a weapon with background checks, a radical element and the leaders of the NRA will argue that the American people will have their guns taken away. Strapping a gun on your hip in many states will be legal come January. It would be hard to know who can open-carry. However, your hand gun will be no match for an assault weapon. Let’s at least background check those who are buying assault weapons and large amounts of bullets. Many say we need less access to weapons. Some say we need more. Some would like to issue a gun to everyone who is able to pass a background check. I believe a background check might have found out that Farook had spent nine days in Saudi Arabia and had brought Malik back material on a fiancée visa. That check might have alerted law enforcement and he would have been put on a watch list. I don’t expect the shootings to stop but my God, we need to slow killings down or it will be the new norm for this country we all love

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2005

Ronnie Hutchinson, president of the Bridge City Rotary Club, said four juniors from Bridge City and four from Orangefield will be attending a leadership camp at Piney Woods Baptist encampment, west of Corrigan, in January. Students from Bridge City, Carlie Sherwood, daughter of Myra and Kenny Caillouet; Cayla Angelle, daughter of Connie and Mark Angelle; Troy Bolton, son of Troy and Liz Bolton and Paeton Landry, whose parents are Todd and Dawanna Landry. Students from Orangfield are Max Yu, son of son of Carol Ramsey; Alyssa DeRamus, daughter of Laura and Johnny DeRamus and Paige Roy, daughter of Karen and Steve Clopp.*****Dr. Albert Pugh, of Bridge City Animal Hospital, was presented with a $15,000 grant by Kim Davis and Betty Morgan, officers of Orange Savings Bank. The disaster relief assistance was made possible to provide assistance to small businesses affected by Hurricane Rita. Dr. Pugh’s hospital was severely damaged.*****A big surprise party was held at State Rep. Mike Hamilton and Commissioner Owen Burton’s office in Mauriceville honoring Beth Rach for her 20 years service. She worked 16 years for State Rep. Ron Lewis and the last four for Hamilton. (Editor’s note: We haven’t heard from Beth in a long time and wonder what Pat and Red Garrett’s little girl is up to.)*****The Pinehurst City Council has three members that have more in common than just being on the council. John Zerko, 69, Billy Permenter, 54 and T.W. Permenter, 68, just discovered that all three attended Panola College in Carthage. John attended on a basketball and golf scholarship, Billy and T.W. went on baseball scholarships. John and T.W. transferred to Lamar Tech in Beaumont. An interesting point about Zerko, his father was a Polish immigrant and his mother was Cherokee Indian, who spoke Choctaw as her first language, as well as English. John was taught to speak English.

DUGAS-GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN-2005

When I first met Louis Dugas, around 1956, he had just been elected as the youngest state representative ever in Texas. He was 26 years old. It’s hard to believe ten years have gone by since his death on Dec. 15, 2005, just three days after his 77th birthday. Services were held Saturday, Dec. 17, at First United Methodist Church. H.D. Pate, Roy Dunn and Steve Carlton spoke at his funeral. Louis served with the Marines during the Korean War. While in high school, he worked for Western Union, that was during WWII. Most often the telegraphed messages were heartbreaking. He said, “It was a notice that a loved one had been killed in action.” After attending Lamar, Louis got his law degree from the University of Texas Law School and was admitted to the state bar in 1960. He and Roy Wingate hung their shingle on a small rectangular building on Front Street. They took in $30 the first month. From 1965 to 1968, he served as an assistant district attorney. He then became district attorney, serving until 1973. Louis left the office to serve on a committee in Washington. Sharon Bearden became the D.A. Louis was one of only two lawyers who argued before the Supreme Court. That was in 1986. While serving in the Texas State House, a crisis on school funding arose concerning the University system. Louis introduced a bill and got it passed where one-percent of funds taken from royalties received on Texas owned property would be used to support the university system. That bill is still in place today. Lou had also served as a Justice of the Peace. The first 10 years of his life were spent in Abbeville, Louisiana. His step grandfather, Nicholas Broussard, instilled in him the love of reading. He would read to Lou in French. He taught him to read in French before he learned English. He read the French books as soon as grandpa could obtain them. He often gave Nicholas credit for his foundation. Louis and Dr. Howard Williams both historians, worked on historical material together. Some of their work is preserved at the Heritage House Museum. For many years, from 1971 to 1978, Louis wrote a weekly column for the Opportunity Valley News and then wrote “LeRaconteur” column for the Record Newspapers. At his funeral service, H.D. Pate said, with tear in his eyes, “I loved him like a man can love another man.” Roy wrote a Down Life’s Highway column on the road he and Louis had traveled. He said, “You can’t forget Louis if you ever knew him.”

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Our condolences to our friend Shirley Zimmerman, who early Thanksgiving morning received a call that her dad had died. After waking up, having his usual 5:30 a.m. coffee and cigarette outdoors, he walked back into the house and dropped dead of a massive heart attack. Shirley drove 12 hours Thanksgiving Day to get to her mom and lay her dad to rest. Our deepest sympathies.*****Some 10 years or so ago, I heard from a sweet lady who requested to meet me. She was an English teacher from Noxapater, Mississippi. It always scares me when an English teacher request to speak with me. I’m an English teacher’s nightmare. Anyway, I met her and her sister Pat Floyd at the office. Betty Bridges Suttle was a native of Orange, born 6/5/36. Pat and husband Carl have informed me that Betty passed away Sept. 1. Every week since we had met Pat had sent Betty the Record Newspaper. Pat said she was a true fan of our newspaper, her hometown community paper. Since that long ago meeting, I have never forgotten her and was saddened to learn of her death. Please see obituary.*****Our apologies to John Gothia. In last week’s issue we accidentally put Keith Merritt’s name under his picture, or maybe it should be the other way around. We best apologize to both. Last week production failed to omit the Sheriff’s name from a previous article in the same space.*****We received a thank you note from Anna Belle Hebert Rost, Roy’s long ago classmate. She posted the note with an Elvis stamp. Just wondering if that had any particular significance.*****Folks we know celebrating their big day this week. On Dec. 9, Former Democratic chairman, one of Leon’s boys, Mark Carter celebrates. Also Mark Braus, Sharon Johnson, Elissa Kern and Barry McKenzie. Celebrity birthdays on this day actor/singer Donny Osmond, 58, actor Kirk Douglas, 99 and Big Bang Theory actor Simon Helberg, 35.*****On Dec. 10, David Claybar, Cindy Briggs, Doris Peveto and Shelly Mott all celebrate. They are joined by celebrities Raven Symone, 30, chef Bobby Flay, 51 and LA Law star Susan Dey, 63.*****Dec. 11, finds Kent Sarver, Cody Caples, Rod Clark celebrating on this day. Also having birthdays are Secretary of State John Kerry, 72, country singer Brenda Lee, 71 and actress Rita Moreno, 84.*****On Dec. 12, Scott Derouen, Daniel Bates, Shelby Herbet, Joel Fruge and Rene’s better half, Pattie’s mom, pretty Lucy Hanks all celebrate. Also on this day Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby turns 63 and singer Dionne Warwick, 75.*****On Dec. 13, Triple L Honda’s owner Dennis Lee is a year older as well as John’s better half, Jeanette Clark. She deserves a great day. Also celebrating is Melinda Swares, Hazel Smith and Kristy Kidwell. They are joined by singer Taylor Swift, 26, actors Jamie Foxx, 48 and Dick Van Dyke, 90.*****On Dec. 14, a very sweet lady, CPA Keri Michutka celebrates along with Danny Blacksher, Hannah Carpenter, Kandy Sartin, and Danny Prosperie. They are joined by actors Patty Duke, 69, Dee Wallace, 66 and Astro baseball player Craig Biggio, 50. Congratulations also to our friends Betty and Corky Harmon on their 59th wedding anniversary.*****On Dec. 15, Don and Mary Stanton’s little boy Donnie turns 48, Kirk’s other half, Shirley Roccaforte, celebrates. I wouldn’t dare give her age. Also celebrating is longtime friend Maac Hughes, Ken Pittman, Belinda Broom, Dale Armans and Amanda Webb. Celebrities having birthdays on this day are Miami Vice actor Don Johnson, 66 and Tim Conway, 82. This also would have been the birthday of our former editor Robert Hankins and was the date Louis Dugas died in 2005.*****Former Chief Deputy of the Sheriff’s Department John Tarver, will be returning to the Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 6 as Chief Deputy for Sheriff Keith Merritt, who is making some realignments after the retirement of patrol captain Mike Langley, Sr. Tarver is well respected in the law enforcement community and well liked by the public. He will be a great asset to Sheriff Merritt.*****Quincy Procell stopped by. He’s like the bionic man, loaded with braces, back problems, etc. It seems his youth has caught up with him.*****Our friend Betty Harmon is also having a lot of problems since she and Corky’s auto accident. She is putting off any surgery until after the holidays.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at Robert’s this week, Luigi’s next, and on Dec. 23 will hold the annual Christmas gathering at Robert’s. Everyone is expected to attend. Anyone who would like to share bread with a great bunch of folks is welcome.

A young lawyer, Jean Ouellet, las year graduated from da LS&U law school. He join da law firm of Pierre Piccione. Carl Duhon and Harold Domingue. Jean’s first case was defending Alfred “Smitty” Landry, a wealthy businessman wat operates coin machines throughout Sou’h Louisiana. It was a complicated lawsuit. Unfortunately, da evidence was against Jean’s client. He feared da worse so Jean ax Piccione, da senior partner, if it would be appropriate to send presiding judge Marcus Broussard a box of Havana cigars.

Piccione him, was horrified, “Da judge him, is an honorable man,” said da senior partner, “If you do dat, I can guarantee you will lose da case.”

A few weeks later, Judge Broussard ruled on da case in favor of da young lawyer’s client. Piccione, da older lawyer, took young Jean to lunch to congratulate him on da win.

“But I did send dem me,” replied da young lawyer, “I just enclosed the plaintiff’s lawyer, Lester Gauthier’s business card.” (Rerun by request.)

C’EST TOUT

Gov. Greg Abbott is using the Bible as reason to block refugees. Abbott tweeted, “Romans 13 teaches that government’s role is different than man’s duty. It is to protect citizens and ensure justice. Texas will abide.” But then Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on Friday, dropped the state’s attempt to turn away Syrian refugees. The reversal cleared the way for 21 Syrians to arrive. A couple and their four children came to Houston, a man and wife and two young kids are headed to Dallas and nine more will arrive in Houston Thursday. In all 12 children, ages 2 to 15 and two grandparents.Gov. Abbott was one of the first Republican governors to announce their opposition to taking in refugees.*****United States employees added 211,000 jobs last month. Unemployment holds steady at a low five percent.*****In just 18 months oil prices have cratered from $107 a barrel to under $40 per barrel. Gasoline plunged from $3.70 a gallon to a low of $2 and could go as low as $1.50.*****The U.S. doesn’t need Donald Thrump’s big, nice wall. Not only are Mexicans no longer coming to the United States in large numbers, legally or illegally, more are leaving than coming since the great recession stricter enforcement of U.S. immigration laws by the Obama Administration and a better economy in Mexico is the reason the PWE Research Center gave for just a trickle of Mexicans attempting to come to the U.S. Things are not anywhere near as bad as the “Talking Heads” would have you believe. We are far better off as a country than we were eight years ago.*****Thanks for your time. Please read us cover to cover and shop our family of advertisers. You can also read The Record 24/7 at www.therecordlive.com. Take care and God bless.